Ukraine Cash Consortium (UCC) Community Accountability Lead, Ukraine (International & Ukrainian Candidates)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

The Ukraine Emergency

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other conflict-affected people where they are: displaced inside Ukraine, refugees in Poland, Romania and Moldova, or trapped behind frontlines. We aim to reach 500,000 vulnerable people with multi-purpose cash assistance, in-kind humanitarian support, and protection services across four countries. Almost all of our impact will be delivered in partnership: with Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian and Moldovan civil society organizations through a granting program that matches humanitarian action with capacity strengthening, and with peer international NGOs through a consortium in Ukraine. Mercy Corps is responding to the Ukraine crisis with large-scale consortium programming with a focus on Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA). The Consortium is a partnership between four international humanitarian aid agencies to model and deliver innovative, effective cash and other humanitarian assistance programs to support people affected by the Ukraine crisis within Ukraine.

The Ukraine Cash Consortium Unit

The Ukraine Cash Consortium Unit is a small team of leaders that are funded through the BHA award to represent and lead the consortium. This means equally representing the member organizations of the consortium and coordinating their work to achieve the objectives of the Ukraine Cash Consortium, as articulated in the award agreement. Although Mercy Corps is leading the recruitment and administration of these UCC unit positions, the positions and their work should advocate in the best interest of the consortium and its objectives.

General Position Summary

The Community Accountability Lead will be a key member of the Consortium Unit and will lead commitments that put affected people at the center of the program, in line with the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), Grand Bargain and Participation Revolution. Accountable to the Consortium Director, and ultimately the Consortium Steering Committee, the postholder will play a facilitative role with consortia partners to develop, implement and monitor an overarching program Accountability to Affected People (AAP) framework that defines inclusive, accessible and appropriate accountability processes throughout the program lifecycle, not limited to three key pillars of information sharing, community engagement in decision making, and a robust feedback and complaints mechanism. The post holder will lead efforts to identify opportunities for harmonized guidance, tools and training materials that leverage the respective experience and expertise of consortia partners, and is expected to mentor and coach key accountability team members as needed. The postholder will manage a Community Accountability Data Analyst and will actively participate, on behalf of the Consortium, in all relevant inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

Essential Job Responsibilities

LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY

• Champion accountability to affected people (AAP) within the Consortia, by developing key messages that articulate the dynamics of power between humanitarian decision makers and affected people, and how this can be redressed through purposeful action and continuous monitoring and learning;
• Facilitate the development of a consortium wide, common accountability to affected people (AAP) framework, that defines agreed processes and approaches throughout the program cycle to ensure that the multi partner program team takes account of, gives account to, and holds themselves accountable to affected people;
• Facilitate the development of an accompanying AAP monitoring plan (with indicators and timeframes), develop regular analysis of performance data, and lead dialogue in the Consortium Steering Committee and among consortia partners, on how accountability can be strengthened;
• In collaboration with the Consortium Steering Committee, monitor the program budget and advocate for the resources needed to ensure the AAP framework is implemented.

INFORMATION SHARING

• Monitor available secondary data on affected people’s information needs and trusted information channels to develop an information sharing strategy through the program lifecycle;
• Facilitate, in consultation with Consortium partners, community-facing content and materials that communicates the work of the consortium and what communities can expect of the scope and quality of our program activities (including cash distribution criteria) and the acceptable behavior of staff and volunteers;
• Advise consortium partners, as needed, on good practice in information sharing that is accessible and inclusive, and responsive to the identified needs, capacities and resources of different population groups;
• Monitor the development of inter-agency key messages, such as protection information, and identify opportunities for this to be integrated into information sharing plans;
• Support advocacy to the Humanitarian Country Team and other stakeholders, for the development of processes that meaningfully share information with communities throughout the Humanitarian Program Cycle, e.g. community-facing messages on the outcome of the Humanitarian Needs Overview, and the agreed Humanitarian Response Plan;
• Represent the UCC and support the design and implementation of agreed inter-agency approaches;
• Provide key inputs into UCC risk analyses and risk management strategies.

PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING

• Monitor available secondary data and scope opportunities for primary data collection on community preferences and existing and planned platforms that meaningfully engage communities in decision making on the humanitarian response (e.g. agency specific, inter-agency, or government-led);
• Work in a facilitative manner to use ongoing context analysis and available data to support consortia partners (MEL, technical advisers and program teams) implement plans for community participation in decision making through the program life cycle, including needs analysis and assessment, design and planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation;
• Support advocacy and media colleagues to integrate meaningful and ethical participation within their initiatives, and to elevate the voices of communities that arise through participatory work across the program;
• Support the design of community participation in consortia-wide processes, such as Mid Term Evaluations, After Action Reviews, and Real Time Reviews;
• Support advocacy to the Humanitarian Country Team and other stakeholders, for the participatory design of platforms and processes that meaningfully engage communities in decision making throughout the Humanitarian Program Cycle, e.g. analysis of the Humanitarian Needs Overview and the development of the Humanitarian Response Plan;
• Represent the UCC and support the design and implementation of agreed inter-agency approaches.

FEEDBACK AND COMPLAINTS MECHANISMS

• Monitor available data on community preferences and share analyses across the Consortia to ensure the continuous adaptation of partner’s feedback channels so that they are accessible to all community members, including marginalized and under-represented groups, and people on the move;
• Support the development of regular service mapping, and the subsequent development of a referral map (in collaboration with consortium members respective Safeguarding, Protection, and Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse teammates) that can be used by all Consortia partners in the handling of their feedback and complaints mechanism;
• Facilitate the development of an Information Sharing Protocol between all consortia partners related to the sharing of feedback data;
• Support the Consortium to develop routine aggregate analysis of community feedback, according to an agreed data sharing protocol, and develop and normalize processes that ensure this analysis informs strategic and programmatic decision making and adaptation;
• Support the Consortium Steering Committee to develop dashboards reports on key performance indicators related to the performance of the feedback mechanisms, and develop and normalize processes that ensure this analysis informs efforts to improve how the system is accessible and inclusive to marginalized and under-represented groups.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

• Facilitate development of a shared UCC capacity development strategy for UCC partners and implementing partners on AAP, in support of the execution of the agreed AAP framework;
• Map UCC partner’s and external training tools and resources related to AAP;
• Identify opportunities for shared (harmonized) approaches and tools for UCC partner staff and implementing partners;
• Develop harmonized AAP learning content, e.g. staff onboarding package, leadership briefings, generalist and specialist trainings;
• Advocate to UCC partners to integrate APP into all position descriptions and performance management.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND REPRESENTATION

• Proactively engage with, and represent the UCC, in all inter-agency fora related to Accountability to Affected People, and contribute towards relevant collective strategies, plans and resources, through the sharing of consortia learning;
• Collaborate with other humanitarian agencies to develop referral maps and mechanisms for communities where UCC partners implement program activities.

Code of Conduct

• Ensure all field and office-based activities are conducted in full respect to the humanitarian principles and in organized and dignified way
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Consortium Director

Line management: UCC Accountability Data Analyst

Works Directly With: Consortium MEL Director, Accountability Focal Points of each organization. Safeguarding and Protection leads of each organization, UCC Grants and Reporting Manager, Ukraine Protection Working Group, and Cash Working Group AAP task team.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Development Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, International Relations, or related fields);
• Awareness of key sector commitments related to AAP, such as the Core Humanitarian Standard and Grand Bargain Participation Revolution, successes and barriers to progress;
• 3 years of experience in a leadership role in a function related to accountability to affected populations in a humanitarian response (communicating with communities, information sharing, participation, feedback and complaints mechanisms);
• Experience of developing policy, guidance, tools and adult learning products on AAP or related areas, including program management, communicating with communities, gender diversity and inclusion, protection, safeguarding;
• Understanding of how AAP supports protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and adaptive program management;
• Proficiency with MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Google suite;
• Proven ability to cooperative effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and to play a leadership role in convening groups;
• A high level of spoken and written English, including an ability to write succinct and impactful reports;
• Proficiency in spoken and written Ukrainian;
• Proven ability in using data and analysis to engage stakeholders and to influence change;
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a proven record of convincing senior leadership to support improvements to accountability to affected populations;
• Experience working in conflict-affected and volatile environments.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (MA/MS/MBA or equivalent);
• Experience of working in first-phase responses and recovery contexts or protracted crises;
• Experience in context analysis in complex contexts, developing recommendations and adapting approaches in response to findings;
• Experience of working with local and national partners on the topic of AAP;
• Experience working and living outside of the country of citizenship;
• Knowledge and / or experience of theories and practice related to adult learning;
• Proven experience in remote data collection, and data management;
• Experience designing, managing and monitoring database management platforms.

Success Factors and Transferable Skills

Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer, work, or life experience that are relevant for the position will be considered. Be sure to fully explain transferable skills and success factors and how they apply to this position in your cover letter. The successful UCC Accountability Lead will have excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills, and will be committed to working inclusively to ensure the active participation of all UCC partners in planning and decision- making. Other factors include:

• The ability to facilitate and communicate a shared vision for AAP
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong team player with initiative and positive attitude towards problem solving
• A positive learning approach to work
• Self-starter, multi-tasker, solution-seeker and innovator.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position is based in Lviv, Ukraine, exact location to be confirmed. Accommodations are being defined and access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc is in place but may change depending on the situation. This position requires travel to surrounding countries, as security permits. Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to theInteragency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere toMercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.